Cards on the table, I’ve been waiting for this article to come out because I think the info is so valuable. Roberto Gallardo and Mark Rembert just released info on economic benefits experienced by a household with broadband not available to a household without it.

Here super quick answers:

• What’s are the benefits of broadband?
  $1850 per year per household
• So if everyone had access – what would that mean to US economy?
  $22.5 billion annually

That’s a unilateral number – you can learn more from their handy table:

Which areas are going to see the impact? Check out their map of the US – and of course I’ll focus in on Minnesota. I’m seeing a lot of maroon there, which means that the economic benefit of getting just 20 percent of the population (assuming ubiquitous coverage) using broadband is more than $10 million!!

There are two important lessons here. First – broadband access is an investment that will pay off for a household AND a community (or nation). Second – payoff is highest when people adopt broadband, which means encouraging greater use.

Learn more about methodology and impact at the Daily Yonder – or come hear more from Roberto this fall when he keynotes the Minnesota Fall Broadband Conference!